Soldiers and Sailors of the American Revolution Buried in Acton Cemeteries

Many veterans of the Revolutionary War were buried in Acton's cemeteries. Some graves were unmarked. The Concord Enterprise of April 18, 1895 suggested that there might be more than "150 graves of revolutionary heroes scattered through the cemeteries of the town," but by that point in time, a number closer to 100 had been discovered.

The following list shows those whose graves were stated in at least one written source to have been honored with a Sons of the American Revolution marker. Most were placed at graves in April 1895 as part of a large-scale celebration of the 120th anniversary of the Concord battle. In some cases, the SAR markers must have been placed on unmarked graves (for example, Francis Barker and Joseph Brown's stones were installed after the 1895 SAR markers). Furthermore, it is likely that some SAR markers have been moved or damaged in the years since the markers were placed. In some cases, we have found gravestones for individuals with the names on this list, but they lack SAR markers. More research is needed to confirm that those gravestones actually belong to the Revolutionary veterans. This list is under construction, so check back later for updates.

The written lists did not specify the cemetery of burial. The color coding shows graves with an SAR marker has been documented in a photograph, as follows:Green: in Forest Cemetery on Carlisle Road in North Acton Brown: in Woodlawn Cemetery on Concord Road in Acton

Sources:"The Men of the Revolution Who Are Honored Today by Having Bronzed Markers Placed at Their Graves." Concord Enterprise. April 18, 1895, page 2.May, Henry A. Soldiers and Sailors Whose Markers Have Been Designated By the Marker of the Society. Boston: Massachusetts Society of the Sons of the American Revolution, 1901.Secretary of the Commonwealth. Massachusetts Soldiers and Sailors in the War of the Revolution. Boston: Wright & Potter Printing Co., 1896.Shepard, M. Gravestones of Forest Cemetery. Scrapbook of Gravestone Photographs held at Acton Historical Society.Shepard, M. Gravestones of Revolutionary Section, Woodlawn Cemetery. Scrapbook of Gravestone Photographs held at Acton Historical Society.

1 Both SAR marker lists specify a first name as John. No John Chaffin listed is in the 1896 Massachusetts Soldiers and Sailors in the War of the Revolution, but there is a Jonathan Chaffin of Acton listed.

2 John Cole's grave is listed in the April 18, 1895 listing as having been marked with an SAR marker, but the 1901 May book did not include John Cole in Acton's grave listing.